People v. Molina, 74 Cal. App. 3d 544 (Cal. Ct. App. 1977). · Go Syfert
People v. Molina, 74 Cal. App. 3d 544 (Cal. Ct. App. 1977). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
57 citation events (26 in the last 25 years) across 3 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: People v. Carpio CA5 (calctapp, 2023-09-05)
Treatment trajectory · 1977 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1977 2001 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 21 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (rule) People v. Carpio CA5 (3×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
At the July 30, 2021 hearing, Nuttall appeared and stated he “wished to substitute in to supplement the motion for new trial.” A defendant who seeks to obtain new counsel “necessarily indicates some dissatisfaction with the attorney who has been representing him.” (People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 549 (Molina).) However, “some dissatisfaction” does not invariably constitute either an assertion of inadequate representation or the existence of an irreconcilable conflict between counsel and client.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Shropshire
Cal. Ct. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
A trial court has “wide latitude in balancing the right to counsel of choice against the needs of fairness, [citation], and against the demands of its calendar.” (United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez (2006) 548 U.S. 140, 152 .) Accordingly, the opportunity to secure counsel is limited by “ ‘the countervailing state interest against which the sixth amendment right provides explicit protection: the interest in proceeding with prosecutions on an orderly and expeditious basis, taking into account the practical difficulties of “assembling the witnesses, lawyers, and jurors at the same place at…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency v. Joel M.
Cal. Ct. App. · 2010 · confidence medium
(People v. Lara (200.1) 86 Cal.App.4th 139, 150 [ 103 Cal.Rptr.2d 201 ]; In re Z.N. (2009) 181 Cal.App.4th 282 , 289 [ 104 Cal.Rptr.3d 247 ] [“Marsden principles . . . apply ... to dependency proceedings”].) A duty arises “ ‘only when the [party] asserts directly or by implication that his counsel’s performance has been so inadequate as to deny him his constitutional right to effective counsel.’ ” (People v. Lara, supra, at p. 151 , quoting People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 549 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ].) Joel concedes the court was not required to conduct a Marsden hearing …
cited Cited as authority (rule) Blanks v. Garcia
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See People v. Marsden, 2 Cal.3d 118, 123-24 , 465 P.2d 44, 47-48, 84 Cal.Rptr. 156, 159-60 (1970); People v. Molina, 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 549 , 141 Cal.Rptr. 533, 536 (1977).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Blanks v. Garcia
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See People v. Marsden, 2 Cal.3d 118, 123-24 , 465 P.2d 44, 47-48, 84 Cal.Rptr. 156, 159-60 (1970); People v. Molina, 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 549 , 141 Cal.Rptr. 533, 536 (1977).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Lara
Cal. Ct. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
(People v. Leonard (2000) 78 Cal.App.4th 776, 787 [ 93 Cal.Rptr.2d 180 ].) *151 The court’s duty to conduct the inquiry arises “only when the defendant asserts directly or by implication that his counsel’s performance has been so inadequate as to deny him his constitutional right to effective counsel.” (People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 549 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Leonard, supra, 78 Cal.App.4th at p. 787 .) The defendant is not entitled to claim that an irreconcilable conflict has arisen merely because of a disagreement with counsel over reasonable tactical decisions.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Leonard
Cal. Ct. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
A trial court’s duty to conduct the inquiry arises “only when the defendant asserts directly dr by implication that his counsel’s performance has been so inadequate as to deny him his constitutional right to effective counsel.” (People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 549 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ], italics added.) The question here is whether defendant’s request for substitution of counsel after Brooks reported the darts in the bag delivered by defendant’s wife was sufficient to raise the issue of Brooks’s competence as counsel.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Shoals
Cal. Ct. App. · 1992 · confidence medium
(People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 547-548 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ].) The court had to weigh appellant’s request against the state’s interest in proceeding with prosecutions on an orderly and expeditious basis, taking into account the practical difficulties of assembling the witnesses, lawyers, and jurors.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Crandell (2×)
Cal. · 1988 · confidence medium
See also People v. Groce (1971) 18 Cal.App.3d 292, 296 [ 95 Cal.Rptr. 688 ], review denied Sept. 2, 1971; People v. Miller (1973) 33 Cal.App.3d 1005, 1021 [ 109 Cal.Rptr. 648 ]; People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 548 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Cruz (1978) 83 Cal.App.3d 308, 316 [ 147 Cal.Rptr. 740 ]; People v. Penrod (1980) 112 Cal.App.3d 738, 747-748 [ 169 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Hill (1983) 148 Cal.App.3d 744, 753 [ 196 Cal.Rptr. 382 ], cited with approval in People v. Hamilton (1985) 41 Cal.3d 408, 421 [ 221 Cal.Rptr. 902 , 710 P.2d 981 ]; People v. McElrath (1985) 175 Cal.…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Burgener
Cal. · 1986 · confidence medium
(Pe ople v. Hill (1983) 148 Cal.App.3d 744, 753 [ 196 Cal.Rptr. 382 ]; People v. Cruz (1978) 83 Cal.App.3d 308, 316-319 [ 147 Cal.Rptr. 740 ]; People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 548 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Munoz (1974) 41 Cal.App.3d 62, 66 [ 115 Cal.Rptr. 726 ]; People v. Groce (1971) 18 Cal.App.3d 292, 296-297 [ 95 Cal.Rptr. 688 ]; see People v. Green (1971) 15 Cal.App.3d 524, 527 [ 93 Cal.Rptr. 84 ].) 1 Many of these decisions have reversed the appellant’s conviction upon finding that the trial court’s inquiry was less than adequate.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Williamson
Cal. Ct. App. · 1985 · confidence medium
(People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 548 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Petty (1981) 127 Cal.App.3d 255, 260 [ 179 Cal.Rptr. 413 ]; People v. Maese (1980) 105 Cal.App.3d 710, 723 [ 164 Cal.Rptr. 485 ].) Although not directly challenged by defendant on appeal, the remaining reasons for denial of the request to substitute counsel were also substantial.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Hill
Cal. Ct. App. · 1983 · confidence medium
(People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 548-549 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Munoz, supra, 41 Cal.App.3d 62, 66 ; People v. Groce, supra, 18 Cal.App.3d 292, 297 .) Depending on the nature of the grievances related by defendant, it may be necessary for the court also to question his attorney.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Levingston
Cal. Ct. App. · 1982 · confidence medium
While a sentencing judge may not punish a defendant because he has illegitimate children receiving welfare support ( People v. Bolton (1979) 23 Cal.3d 208, 216-217 [ 152 Cal. Rptr. 141 , 589 P.2d 396 ]), because he refused to plead guilty and presented a frivolous defense ( People v. Morales (1967) 252 Cal. App.2d 537, 546 [ 60 Cal. Rptr. 671 ]), because he had not been punished sufficiently for previous offenses ( People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal. App.3d 544, 552-553 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 533 ]), a judge may consider all the facts and circumstances properly before him relating to defendant's charact…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Levingston
Cal. Ct. App. · 1982 · confidence medium
While a sentencing judge may not punish a defendant because he has illegitimate children receiving welfare support (People v. Bolton (1979) 23 Cal.3d 208, 216-217 [ 152 Cal.Rptr. 141 , 589 P.2d 396 ]), because he refused to plead guilty and presented a frivolous defense (People v. Morales (1967) 252 Cal.App.2d 537, 546 [ 60 Cal.Rptr. 671 ]), because he had not been punished sufficiently for previous offenses (People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 552-553 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]), a judge may consider all the facts and circumstances properly before him relating to defendant’s character, hi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Rhines
Cal. Ct. App. · 1982 · confidence medium
(People v. Kaiser, supra, 113 Cal.App.3d 754, 761 ; People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal. App.3d 544, 548 [ 127 Cal.Rptr. 434 ; People v. Reaves (1974) 42 Cal. App.3d 852, 856 [ 117 Cal.Rptr. 163 ].) After the substitution of Miss Pope, the trial was continued six times on defendant’s motion, and on April 13 jury selection commenced.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Petty
Cal. Ct. App. · 1981 · confidence medium
The determination whether to substitute appointed counsel rests within the sound discretion of the trial court. [Citation.] An exercise of discretion by a trial court will not be disturbed on appeal, unless it is shown by the defendant that his right to the assistance of counsel was substantially impaired by the continued representation by appointed counsel. [Citation.]” (People v. Lindsey (1978) 84 Cal.App.3d 851, 859 [ 149 Cal.Rptr. 47 , 2 A.L.R.4th 485 ]; accord, People v. Walker (1976) 18 Cal.3d 232, 238 [ 133 Cal.Rptr. 520 , 555 P.2d 306 ]; People v. Marsden (1970) 2 Cal.3d 118, 123 [ 8…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Kaiser
Cal. Ct. App. · 1980 · confidence medium
(People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 548 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Reaves (9174) 42 Cal.App.3d 852, 856 [ 117 Cal.Rptr. 163 ], and cases cited therein.) “An exercise of discretion by a trial court will not be disturbed on appeal, unless it is shown by the defendant that his right to the assistance of counsel was substantially impaired by the continued representation by appointed counsel.” (People v. Lindsey (1978) 84 Cal.App.3d 851, 859 [ 149 Cal.Rptr. 47 ].) The record in the instant case amply supports the conclusion that whatever breakdown occurred between appellant and hi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Cruz (2×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1978 · confidence medium
It tells us also that under some circumstances a court’s ruling denying the request for a substitution of attorneys without a careful inquiry into the defendant’s reasons for requesting the substitution ‘is lacking in all the attributes of a judicial determination.’ [Citations.]” According to Munoz , the duty of the trial court includes “an inquiry into the state of mind of the court-appointed attorney” and an attempt “to ascertain in what particulars the attorney was not providing appellant with a competent defense.” ( 41 Cal.App.3d at p. 66 .) Munoz has been cited with appa…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Medina
Cal. Ct. App. · 1978 · confidence medium
(E.g„ People v. Phillips (1977) 76 Cal.App.3d 207, 213-216 [ 142 Cal.Rptr. 658 ] People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 551 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 533 ]; People v. Romero (1977) 68 Cal.App.3d 543, 549-550 [ 137 Cal. Rptr. 675 ]; People v. Herron (1976) 62 Cal.App.3d 643, 646-647 [ 133 Cal. Rptr. 287 ]; People v. Morales (1975) 49 Cal.App.3d 732, 738 [ 122 Cal.Rptr. 804 ]; People v. Calloway (1974) 37 Cal.App.3d 905, 908-909 [ 112 Cal.Rptr. 745 ]; see also People v. Chi Ko Wong (1976) 18 Cal.3d 698, 719-721 [ 135 Cal.Rptr. 392 , 557 P.2d 976 ]; People v. Peterson (1973) 9 Cal.3d 717, 727 [ 108 …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Phillips
Cal. Ct. App. · 1977 · confidence medium
(People v. Chi Ko Wong, supra, 18 Cal.3d. 698, 719-720 & fn. 17; People v. Herron, 62 Cal.App.3d 643, 646-647 [ 133 Cal.Rptr. 287 ]; People v. Molina, 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 551 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 533 ]; In re Michael R., 73 Cal.App.3d 327, 335, fn. 5 [ 140 Cal.Rptr. 716 ].) Thus the fact the probation report contains arrest data is no basis for reversal in the absence of evidence in the record that the trial judge was actually misled into mistaking arrests for convictions.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." People v. Neuhart CA4/3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2024 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
(People v. Pantaleon (2023) 89 Cal.App.5th 932 , 942; see, e.g., People v. Molina (1977) 74 Cal.App.3d 544, 550 [striking true finding from abstract of judgment where court did not make true finding in its oral pronouncement].) 5 charged robbery.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
The PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
SALVADOR MOLINA, Defendant and Appellant.
Crim. 30428.
California Court of Appeal.
Oct 31, 1977.
74 Cal. App. 3d 544
1977 Cal. App. LEXIS 1942
Counsel, Paul Halvonik, State Public Defender, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, Charles M. Sevilla, Chief Assistant State Public Defender, Richard Curtis, Karen R. Smith, and Patricia Nelson, Deputy State Public Defenders, for Defendant and Appellant., Evelle J. Younger, Attorney General, Jack R. Winkler, Chief Assistant Attorney General, S. Clark Moore, Assistant Attorney General, William R. Pounders and Carol Slater Frederick, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Thompson.
Cited by 32 opinions  |  Published

Opinion

THOMPSON, J.

—Defendant Salvador Molina was convicted after a juiy trial of forcible rape and burglary, and an allegation that Molina was armed at the time of the commission of the offenses was found true. A minute order and abstract of judgment state that a prior felony conviction alleged in the information is found to be true. The trial court imposed a state prison sentence consecutive to another ordered by it on revocation of Molina’s probation for a separate offense.

In this appeal, Molina contends: (1) the trial court erred in denying his motion for a continuance to secure private counsel in lieu of the public[*547] defender without first inquiring into the nature of Molina’s dissatisfaction with public defender representation; (2) the reference to the prior conviction must be stricken from the judgment; (3) the probation report relied upon by the trial court in imposing sentence contains improper and inaccurate information; (4) the court erroneously construed the probation report and applied an erroneous standard in imposing sentence; and (5) trial counsel was ineffective for failing to point out to the trial court its misconstruction of the probation report.

We conclude: (1) Molina not having expressed that he desired to substitute counsel because of the inadequacy of representation, the trial court properly denied his motion for a continuance; (2) the reference to the prior conviction must be stricken from the judgment; (3) the probation report does not contain prejudicially inaccurate or improper information; and (4) the trial court applied an improper standard in exercising its sentencing discretion. Accordingly, we strike reference to the prior conviction, affirm the judgment to the extent it adjudicates Molina’s guilt, and remand the matter to the trial court for resentencing. We do not, therefore, reach Molina’s contention of ineffective representation of counsel at the time sentence was imposed.

Facts of Offenses

Salvador Molina broke into the apartment occupied by Dana B. and raped her at knifepoint. His identity as the rapist-burglar was established by Ms. B.’s eyewitness identification which included a description of a distinctive tattoo.

Motion for Continuance

Molina was at liberty on bail during the two months from the date of his arraignment to the commencement of trial. Trial began on January 12, 1977. On that day, Molina’s trial counsel, the public defender, presented a motion that should Molina testify his 1975 conviction for grand theft auto could be used for impeachment only if no reference were made to the date and nature of the felony. After the potential of jury speculation on the nature of the felony was discussed by counsel and the court and explained to Molina, the latter acquiesced in the procedure. The court granted the motion.

At the opening of the next day’s session of court, defense counsel stated: “Mr. Molina and his mother, who is sitting in the court, requested[*548] [sic] this matter be continued, adjourned, and they wish to seek private counsel.” The trial court responded: “Very well. Motion denied. We are in the midst of impaneling a jury, it is ridiculous to be continuing a case at this time on the second day of trial. He could have gotten his private counsel if he intended to by this day. We can’t have the system of justice clogged up this way.”

Relying upon People v. Marsden (1970) 2 Cal.3d 118 [84 Cal.Rptr. 156, 465 P.2d 44] and cases which have followed its lead, Molina contends that the trial court erred in denying the motion for continuance to substitute counsel without inquiring into the “particular conduct and events” prompting his request. The contention overextends the Marsden rule.

People v. Marsden, supra, establishes the duty of a trial court faced with a criminal defendant’s claim that he is being denied his right to adequate performance by his counsel. In that situation, the defendant seeking a substitution of attorneys is entitled to be heard on the facts underlying his claim. The court may not deny the request for substitution of attorneys solely on the basis of what has occurred in court. (2 Cal.3d at pp. 123-125.)

Cases subsequent to Marsden expand the duty of the trial court from one of affording an opportunity to the defendant to state his reasons for a claim of inadequate representation to one of also affirmatively inquiring into the circumstances of any claim of counsel ineffectiveness. (People v. Groce (1971) 18 Cal.App.3d 292, 296-297 [95 Cal.Rptr. 688]; In re Miller (1973) 33 Cal.App.3d 1005, 1021-1023 [109 Cal.Rptr. 648]; People v. Munoz (1974) 41 Cal.App.3d 62, 66 [115 Cal.Rptr. 726].)

Contrasting with the rule of Marsden, as expanded, is the principle that while generally a defendant is entitled to be represented by counsel of his own choosing, the right must be asserted in a timely fashion so that the trial court may, in its discretion and without further inquiry, deny a motion for a continuance to secure new counsel if the motion is made during trial. (People v. Reaves (1974) 42 Cal.App.3d 852, 856 [117 Cal. Rptr. 163], and cases there cited.)

In a sense, there is a tension between the two principles. When the defendant moves during trial for a continuance to obtain new counsel, he[*549] necessarily indicates some dissatisfaction with the attorney who has been representing him. The question is thus one of the nature and degree of expression of dissatisfaction which triggers the duty of the trial court to inquire into the defendant’s reasons for desiring new counsel.

Analysis of Marsden and the cases which follow it illuminates the nature of the required showing. People v. Marsden, supra, 2 Cal.3d 118, 123-125, People v. Groce, supra, 18 Cal.App.3d 292, 296-297, In re Miller, supra, 33 Cal.App.3d 1005, 1021-1023, and People v. Munoz, supra, 41 Cal.App.3d 62, 66, all are concerned with claims by a defendant of ineffectiveness of trial counsel of a degree constituting a denial of counsel and hence due process of law within the meaning of People v. Ibarra (1963) 60 Cal.2d 460 [34 Cal.Rptr. 863, 386 P.2d 487], In People v. Williams (1970) 2 Cal.3d 894, 904-906 [88 Cal.Rptr. 208, 471 P.2d 1008], cert. den., 401 U.S. 919 [27 L.Ed.2d 821, 91 S.Ct. 903], our Supreme Court discusses Marsden in that context.

Conversely, dissatisfaction with an attorney’s performance which is adequate within the Ibarra rule is not a basis on which a continuance to permit a substitution of attorneys must be granted. (People v. Williams, supra, 2 Cal.3d 894, 906.)

We therefore conclude that the duty of trial court inquiiy into the reasons why a defendant seeks to discharge counsel applies only when the defendant asserts directly or by implication that his counsel’s performance has been so inadequate as to deny him his constitutional right to effective counsel.

Here Molina made no such showing. He stated only that he wished to substitute private counsel for the public defender and needed a continuance to seek a lawyer. In that situation, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for the reason that it was made after trial commenced. Molina argues that his intention to raise the constitutional infirmity of inadequate representation should be implied from the fact that his motion for a continuance to obtain private counsel was made the day after the public defender successfully moved to restrict the reference to the prior conviction for impeachment purposes. That implication does not follow from the facts. The public defender may or may not have made a correct tactical judgment, but there is not the slightest inkling in the record that Molina’s motion was motivated by it.

[*550] Prior Conviction

Defendant admitted the prior felony conviction alleged in the information. The trial court did not find the allegation to be true when it orally pronounced judgment. It did, however, include a finding of truth of the allegation of the prior in its minute order and abstract of judgment.

The court having failed to include the finding in its oral pronouncement, the finding must be stricken from the abstract of judgment. (In re Candelario (1970) 3 Cal.3d 702, 706 [91 Cal.Rptr. 497, 477 P.2d 729]; People v. Mesa (1975) 14 Cal.3d 466, 472 [121 Cal.Rptr. 473, 535 P.2d 337]; In re Van Heflin (1976) 58 Cal.App.3d 131, 136-138 [128 Cal.Rptr. 257].)

Probation Report

The probation report considered by the trial court when it imposed sentence contains a section entitled “arrest record.” That segment lists 24 arrests. Two of them, a juvenile arrest for driving an auto without the owner’s consent and an adult arrest for public drunkenness show no disposition. The remaining 22 arrests resulted in: (1) an adjudication of delinquency pursuant to former Welfare and Institutions Code section 601; (2) a felony conviction for grand theft auto for which Molina was placed on probation; (3) a misdemeanor conviction for petty theft; and (4) a misdemeanor conviction for disturbing the peace.

An entry showing Molina while a juvenile was arrested for driving an automobile without the owner’s consent and then counseled and released does not include further information concerning the offense. Another entry showing a second juvenile arrest for the same crime and no disposition also fails to add supporting information. A third entry states that Molina, as a juvenile, was “missing—counseled and released.” No additional facts are stated. Also noted without a statement of facts are a juvenile arrest for “inhaling” and an adult arrest for drunkenness. All other entries in the “arrest record” segment of the probation report include brief narratives of the facts underlying the arrest.

Other than the juvenile adjudication pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 601, the two misdemeanor convictions and the one felony conviction, Molina’s arrests prior to the commission of the crimes for which he was sentenced in the case at bench did not result in[*551] conviction or other court action against him. As the result of some 20 juvenile arrests, he was counseled and released five times. He was placed on voluntary probation once, transferred to “intensive supervision” on another occasion, and on a third referred to “community counseling agency.” The remaining 11 juvenile arrests resulted in “exoneration” or dismissal.

Molina’s adult arrest for grand theft auto resulted in his conviction, for which he was placed on probation conditioned upon serving 30 days in county jail. An arrest for petty theft also resulted in a 30-day jail term, while his arrest for disturbing the peace resulted in a $25 fine.

Relying upon People v. Calloway (1974) 37 Cal.App.3d 905 [112 Cal.Rptr. 745], Molina contends that the trial court erroneously considered the probation report because the report is misleading in inaccurately purporting to indicate his past involvement with crime.

People v. Calloway, supra, does not stand for that proposition. Rather, that decision declares that “evidence of police contacts not leading to arrest or conviction may not be included in [a probation] report without supporting information.” (People v. Chi Ko Wong (1976) 18 Cal.3d 698, 719 [135 Cal.Rptr. 392, 557 P.2d 976].) Where the information of past arrests is presented in the report in a fashion that is not misleading, the court does not abuse its discretion by receiving and considering it. (People v. Chi Ko Wong, supra, 18 Cal.3d at pp. 720-721.)

Here the probation report is not misleading in substance. Only two of the arrests show no disposition. The vast bulk of the entries contain a brief narrative of the facts leading to the arrest. The one juvenile adjudication and the three adult convictions are noted, while the rest of the report is clear that the other police contacts did not result in court action.

Imposition of Sentence

After considering the probation report, the trial judge said: “I don’t like to send a young man like you to prison, certainly it upsets me internally. You don’t belong there but you certainly justify it by what you have done. . . . Now I apologize to you in one sense, it seems to me that the system of justice has dealt badly with you, they never really punished you. Here we have four pages of rap sheet and as far as I can see you hardly were slapped on the wrist. That was no way for a court system or[*552] a judicial system to operate. Here they have this case where you were on probation for a 487.3, do you know how much time you served in custody there, one day. As far as I can see you have never even been in a probation camp. ... It is little wonder that sometimes you get the contempt for the judicial and justice process when this sort of thing occurs. I am sorry about that, if some court had done what it ought to have done and punished you, you might not be before me today, and today you get the full load and I think it is unfair. But Mr. Molina, there is one thing I want you to understand from me: So far as I can see sometime in your life you are going to always suffer the consequences of your acts, a lot of time it is delayed but eventually everything comes full circle.”

The court then imposed a state prison sentence with enhancement by reason of the truth of the armed allegation. It revoked probation which had been imposed on the prior grand theft auto conviction and ordered a consecutive state prison sentence on that charge.

The trial court’s remarks preliminary to its imposing sentence establish that it applied an improper standard in exercising its discretion to determine the sentence.

Clearly the task of determining the appropriate sentence is vested in the trial court. Where, however, the record discloses that the court exercised the discretion vested in it on an improper basis, the case must be returned for resentencing. (People v. Morales (1967) 252 Cal.App.2d 537 [60 Cal.Rptr. 671], cert. den., 390 U.S. 1034 [20 L.Ed.2d 293, 88 S.Ct. 1432].)

The sentencing discretion may be exercised in light of the nature of the offense of which the defendant is convicted, the defendant’s past criminal history, and other factors relevant to the purposes of the punishment-rehabilitative process. Here, however, the court determined the sentence that it did seemingly because law enforcement and the courts had not dealt harshly enough with Molina in the past. The trial judge began his narrative with the statement that Molina did not belong in state prison, continued with a recital of prior inadequate punishment, and concluded with the propositions that “everything comes full circle” and “sometime in your life you are going to always suffer the consequences of your acts.”

[*553] In essence, the trial court did not impose sentence here on the crimes of which Molina was convicted. Rather, it sentenced Molina in the case at bench in a fashion which included punishment that, in the court’s opinion, should have been imposed for past crimes. Having first determined that Molina did not belong in state prison on the record before him, the court abused its discretion in imposing a state prison sentence to correct what it perceived to be errors of past overly lenient treatment of Molina by others in the justice system.

Disposition

The finding that defendant has suffered a prior felony conviction is stricken. The judgment is otherwise affirmed insofar as it adjudges defendant’s guilt. The judgment is reversed as to the sentence imposed, and the case is remanded to the trial court for the resentencing of the defendant.

Wood, P. J., and Lillie, J., concurred.